
Book ^ C S - 



JS2if 



lEHIPDSl^ 



Ot THi 



COMMITTEE 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



DECEMBER SESSION, 1824. 






ANNAPOLIS: 

J. BUaB£8, FRINTEK* 



^(r'fJ 



mi 3 ^^^^ 



)4 






•1^-. 



REPORT. 



v.« 



The committee appointed to inquire into the present 
system of public instruction throughout this state, and to devise 
a system, the views of which shall embrace the primar)', or 
common schools, as the basis, and to consider especially the in- 
,>terests of agriculture as connected with education, with power 
*T report the sources of reveime proper to sustain the institution, 
and to procure all necessary information, have had the sameun- 
4]er consideration, and beg leave to report, in part, as follows:— 
In relation to the first branch of the subject matter re- 
ferred to them, your committee have discovered that the "pre- 
sent system of public instruction," if a system it maybe called, 
IS so dispersed througliout the statute book, in so many acts and 



(4) 
supphnienls, that hitherto they have not been able to digest and 
prepare a satisfactory exposition, and deeply in.presscd with the 
magnitude of the. matter, aiid the propriety of presenting the 
result of tlieir delibe. atioas upon the principal, or main question, 
at an early day, they have postponed for a further report, a de- 
J^Sf?, dey^^lppemcnt of their inquiries into the present existin- 



-ri'r 



Your committee therefore have proceeded, according to 
.t\\e qrder of their appointment, to mature a plan of public in- 
struction, having for its basis the primary or common schools, 
H\}i] ^ft consider upon the expediency of connecting by legisla- 
tiye provisions, the first interest of the country, with its scheme 
qS education, all which Mill appear at large, in the bill presented 
with this report. 

Your committee consider that the interests of asricul- 
ture, pre-eminently require theeonstant care and fostering pro- 
tection of the legiblature— they not only employ the principal 



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part of our population, but they immediately impart animation 
and salutary vigour to every branch of the body politic. We 
have felt the effects of immense excesses of importation, beyond 
the exports of our productions, and specie and stocks withdrawn 
from circulation and exported, producing a balance of trade 
against us, which daily accumulates to increase our miseries. 

Your committee consider the improvements of husban- 
dry as most efficient to produce reform, and that thbise im- 
provements may be produced by public schools of agriculture, 
and pattern farms to test principles, and to confirm theories by 
actual practice and experiaients. They applaud the view of 
this subject which was exposed by the able "report of the com- 
mittee on agriculture to the assembly of New York" at their 
last session. But we do not lack precedents; for in spite of po- 
litical prejudices which would fetter the human mind, schools of 
agriculture have been established in France, Switzerland, Prus- 
sia, Italy and the Austrian states. We have an illustrious exam- 



( e ) 

^\r}f}e t4? fRCiPWf^ge ^hjI U^ gnide m, «» Hie establishment of M. 
^c Felleflb^rg, *)t HofwyUi'i Switzerland, Impelled by a belief, 
^^ §l«rijcuUure, jp its study und in its practice, furnishes lli^ 
Ijest^ ipeaqs of developing the usefulness of man, ai,d of winning 
IjIpH to virtue, this gentleman undertook, with Ins private means, 
to estgcblisiih and manage a school, which should improve the art 
of cultivatipn and the character of the cultivator. He encoun- 
tered many ditficulties, amongst which the prejudices of his fel- 
low citizens were not the least formidable — but his perseverance 
triumphed over all. 

This school was established about sixteen years ago. It 
attracted much attention, and served as motlel for others, parti- 
cularly in Hungary and Bohemia. The Emperor of Russia 
caused a detailed report of it to be presented to him, in 1814. 
He was so well pleased with the plan and management, that lie 
complimented the founder with an order of Knighthood. 



(7)) 

The pupils af Ilofwyl school, are employed at high sa- 
laries in vaiiotis parts of Etirope, to soperintend and direct the 
lafeouifs of agriculture. Dr. Bright in his recent travels in ffun- 
sSry, Saw one of them, who had the supennteudance of an ex- 
tensive estate, the revenues of which had been quadrupled in a 
short time, bj- his management. The same traveller enumerates 
eight schools on the Ilofwjl p'an, which had been established 
by the government, or by indlv t'uals in the Austrian dominions 
— in these, the course of stud}' generally lasts three years, in 
which time the pupils are instructed in natural philosophy, chc- 
mistry, natural history, and veterinary medecine; while upon 
large experimental farms they are taught agriculture, the man- 
agement of fruit and forest trees; and the care of cattle, sheep, 
swine and bees. 

An agricultural school was amongst the means adopted by Leo- 
pold, to meliorate the condition of Tuscany; and that Duchy is now 
amongst the best cultivated, and most productive districts in Europe. 



(8) 



The Emperor Napoleon organized and endowed the National 
school at Altfort — "Here," says a statesman, who resided some years 
in France, "all the branches of science connected with agriculture, are 
taught— chemistry, botany, the anatomy of cattle, farriery, with the 
mechanics, and as much of geology as is known, and farm work, and 
domestic economy, in every branch, and down to the smallest article,, 
are there exhibited and explained. It was believed, in 1810, that this 
academy hod lend>.d much to enlighten the people of Fiance, on the general 
Subject of husbandrij, as well hy the examples it gave of new and improved 
machinery, and the most successful ohjccls and modes of culture, as hif 
sending abroad into the provinces, many scien/ijic and practical men, who 
carried their knowledge with them, and were the means of introducing 
new and improved practices " 

In 1808, the King of Prussia established a school of agriculture; in 

i 
twelve years the value of the farm was increased from 9000 to 19,0D0 dol- 
lars; Van Thaer, is diiector, and under him there are three professors — 



one for mathamatics, chemistry and geol|gy; one for veterinary know- 



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ledge; and a third for botany, and the use of the diflFerent vegetable 

a 
productions in the materia-medica, as well as for etomoiogy. 

Your committee will suggest some of the many advantages like- 
ly to result from the establishment of the proposed institutions. 

Itcl 
First — Agricular schools will collect the best systems and most 

recent improvements in'husbandry from Europe aiul America — ana- 
lyze and adapt them to our climate, our soils, our productions, and 
our wants; demonstrate their utility in practice, and dissitninatea know- 
ledge of them into every part of the state. The Hofu^l farm will 
serve to illustrate the extent of these advantages. The whole establish- 
ment comprises but 914 acres; and the average annual profit, of the 
pattern farm alone for a period of four years, was found to be about 
■iOOO dollars, exclusive of the cattle concern which was kept separate. 
We are furnished in Rees' Cyclopedia, with numerous statements, de- 
monstrating, the superiority of the new, over the old system of hus- 
bandry. 

We need not resort to Europe, for evidence of the dispariely 
which exists between theold and new systems u: husbandly; every day's 



(10) 

observation affords proof in our practice; wl)y, in passing througii the 
country, do we see one farm thrice as productive as another, with equal 
natural advantages ? This contrast cannot be owing entirely to 
indigence, or to indolence, in the unsuccessful cultivator; it proceeds 
rather from the want of method — of knowledge — knowledge is science — 
and science is only precepts and principles grounded on demonstration. 

It has been said that agriculture is a trade, an art, or a science. 
That as a trade, it requires only the exercise of bodily power; that 
as an art, it employs the understanding and the judgment; and that as a; 
science, it comprehends a knowledge of natural history, of chemistry, 
&c.: so far as these are subservient to the improvement of husbandry. 
yTe have many who follow the trade, less who practice the art, and 
but few who understand the science. 

The introduction and multiplication of improved machinery* 
would be an important benefit from the proposed schools— It is believed, 
that ten millions of dollars would result to the agriculturists, if one. 
half of the grain grown in the United States, should be threshed by 
the improved mills, and it has been estimated that the general use of 



(11) 

Wood's cast irori ploiiglis, would effect an annual saving of eight thou, 
sartd dollars, in the small state of Rhode Island. The schools would 
be competent to investigate the principles, and to test the merits of the 
implements now in use; and of those which genius and skill may here- 
after bring forth. Their opinions would inspire confidence in tiiose 
found to be approved. Genius would thus be encouraged, and impos- 
ture put down. 

Experimental farmers, of whose operations accurate details 
would be kept, would furnish lists of the value of grains, grasses, 
plants and animals, which might be introduced from abroad, or but 
partially known amongst us, they would instruct us in their culture 
and management, and do mucli towards establishing general and salu- 
tary principles in the business of husbandry. It is not enough to 
know what experiments prove successful — ^we ought also, to be advi- 
sed of those which have proved unsuccessful, in order that we may 
avoid errors. "The art of agriculture can never be brought to its high- 
est perfection, or established on rational principles, unless by theories 
of actual experiments. It is full time, therefore, by the establishment 



(12) 
of experimental farmers, to] bring the art to its utmost practicable 
perfection.^' The public would be made acquainted with the important 
facts developed by the operations of these farmers, through the pub- 
lic prints; and the students would dissemminate a knowledge of them 
orally, and by their practice. 

Horticulture would be improved, and its benefits extended by 
these schools; a knowledge of grafting, innoculating, transplanting and 

pruning fruit trees; of the varieties of fruit, and of culinary vegeta- 
bles and their management, all useful qualifications to every man, 
and may administer to his comfort, as well as profit. 

Secondly — To commerce and manufactures, the benefits will be 
in proportion to the increased products and profits of agriculture. 

Thirdly — Schools of agriculture will improve the morals of soci- 
ety. The students will carry with them, to their dispersed homes, 
<X)nstitutions hardened by the salutary influence of field labour; minds 
invigorated by useful knowlege, and familiar »iih the best systems of 
husbandry; habits of reflection, of industry and sobriety; and a laud- 



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able ambition to excel in a business whose private gain, is alw-ays pub- 
lic good. 

Fourthly — Schools of agriculture will tend to improve the 

revenues of the state; the increased amount of assessable pro- 
perty, and the augmented receipts of turnpike companies, con- 
sequent upon the increase of the products of agriculture, will 
abundantly remunerate the public advances — our situation is 
singularly propitious in t'lis respect, and presents a prospect 
of indeniity wliich oth; r states do not possess — and we are in- 
duced to consider the appropriations requisite to this object, ra- 
ther as loam than as donations — arid as loai.s for which the public 
will receive usurious intere>t. 

Fifthly — It remains for your committee to consider the 
influence of schools of agriculture on the political institutions 
of our country. It has been urged against their establishment 
in Europe "that it is dangerous to educate the labouring classes, 
that their knowledge may become the elements oi discontent; 



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that their knowledge may become the elements of discontent, 
that an educated people are more difficult lo govern; a«d4hat 
the government wl)ich labours to enlighten t4)e people, prepares 
for itself the means of resistence." lloweveir forcibly these ar- 
guments xmy seem where the diviiie fright of Kings is acknow- 
ledged, and where blood peers it over virtue and intellect, owr 
policy and our duty demand the observance of opposite maxims. 
Our agricultural population constitute our strength in war — 
they sustain the mass of the public burthens — and they are the 
guardians of our civil and religious freedom. Hence our dan- 
gers arise, not from an exce»si, but from a want of knowledge 
in the great body of the people. The course of Jitudies con- 
templated, will embrace every branch of science which is appli- 
cable or useful to agriculture — and the labours of the .pupils 
will extead to every department .of .practical husbandry, includr 
ing gardening, and the management of cattle. 

There is another and a very interestiag view, which may be 
taken of this subject. We know that a limited portion of the popu- 



OS) 
lation of every agrlcuhirral country, is adeqita^e to thcBOipply of its 
wants. It appears, from the British statistical tables, that S3 per 
cent, of their population supply the country with provisions; 4() per 
cent, are engaged in trade and manufactutes, and that 21 per cent, com- 
prise all the unproductive classes; and it further appears, that of those 
engaged in soanufactures, 28 per cent, supply the domeehc c insiimp- 
ticn; and 18 per cent, are employed for exportation. Our last census 
exhibits a glaring and awful contrast; 83 per cent, of the population of 
the United States, are ex ended under the denomination of agriculturists, 
and only 4^ percent, in trade and manufactures. In common years, 
the British supply their own provisions, and our exportations do not 
exceed a twentieth part of our productions. This is sufficient to prove 
xlefect, and to manifest the strong necessity of amendment in our sys- 
tem — that our frimarij inteiesty which is agriculture, may be impro- 
ved; and that a due proportion of our population may be employed in 
manufactmes, trade and commerce, to increase our wealth, and to for- 
tify our institutions. 



(16) 
But to conclude, we trii>,t it will not be denied that the 
general extension of ec'ucation is "the best assurance of free go- 
vernment," that the public prosperity, keep pace with the pro- 
gress of literature. Gubi scienfia, ubi Ubrtas, science and free- 
dom march hand and hand; science discloses the blessings of li- 
berty, and freedom encourages reflection and research — the base 
and fountain of useful knowledge, whilst ignorance and vice 
support the throne of despotism — What is man without intelli- 
gence, and what is he not with its enlargement? Ignorance de- 
stroj's the growth of virtue and liberal views — it debases them, 
and prepares his mind for subjugation. Let us thex'efore com- 
plete a general system of instruction, to enlighten the rising ge- 
neration — to expand the circle of intellectual enjoyments and 

ameliorate humanity. 

LITTLETON D. TEACKLE, Chairman. 



,> 



4y'ys 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. J 



HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 



Bill No. 34. 



i iil_a ^^ Q i nLJ»j 



AN ACT 

To provide for the Public Instruction of 
Youth throughout this State, and to 
promote the interests of Agriculture. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary- 

2 ryland. That there shall be constituted and appointed by. the 

3 governor and council, an officer to be known and distinguish^ x^P yji^ ^ V /- 

4 ed, as the superintendent of public instruction. 



(iy/e^^^eyx..tyHy€i^ri'^a^y*ty^~^ 






p. BL!C INSTRUCTION. 



Sec. 2. And he it eriac/ed, That il shaU be tlie (lu!\ of 

2 the said superintendent to digest and prepare a plan or plans, 

' 3 for the public instruction of jouth throughout this state, for 

4 the organization, improvement and inanagCHient of stich 

5 system as may be ad>)pted, and of such icvenuesas may, 

6 from time to time, be assigned and appropriated vo the g<'- 

7 neral objects of the institution, to prepare and repor. ;■ • :- 
• • • 8 mates aiid expenditures of the said revenues, to suneriufvi! 1 

9 the collection thereof, to apportion the funds, to perl'urui 

10 such duties in relation thereto, as nia}- l)y law be recjuiied of 

11 him, to give iiiformation to the Icjjislature on all matters rc- 

12 ferred to him by either branch, or wli'.ch shall appertain to 

13 hisofUcc, and generally to execute all conceins in relation to 

14 the administration of his departinent; and before entering 

15 upon the duties of his office, he shall taUe an oath or aflir- 

16 mation for the diligent and faithful execution ol his tiust. 






puiii.ic INS ru^jc rioiv. 



Sec. 3. And be it enacted. That the justices of the levy 

2 court in eacli of the seve-al counties of this state, in the ^ 

3 month of A[)riior at any special meeting for that purpose y ^ > 

4 to be caileJ, shall annualiy appoir.t nine of the inhabiiauts /rj /^i^»t>''. -^yV^ci, 

5 of their respective counties to be commissioners of primary 

6 schoo!:s for the said county, also a suitable number of discreet 

7 persons not exceeding eiglitten, \v!io, together with thecom- 

b m.ssioncrs, sliall be inspect jrs ot primary schools for the said -^ 

9 county, v/hieh said coininissioncrs and inspectors shall hu-!J //? ^ ' . S/' / ^ 

10 their offices for one year, and uiitil others shall be appointed 

11 in their places; aad in case ai;y of the said officers so ap- 

12 pointed, or to be appointed as aforesaid, shall refuse to 

13 serve, or die, or remove from the county, or become incapa- 

14 ble of serving, the same shall be supplied at the next meet- 

15 ingof the levy court. 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



L^<u ^/i^//v 



Sec. 4. And be it enacted, That each of the said officers, 

2 so to be chosen or appointed as aforesaid, shall, before he 

3 enters upon the execution of his office, and within fifteen 

4 days after his election or appointment as aforesaid, take and 

5 subscribe an oath before some justire of the peace, in the 

6 form following: That is to say, "I do 

7 solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, or affirm, as the 

8 case may be, that, I will, in all things to the best of my 

9 knowledge and ability, well and truely execute the trust rc- 

10 posed in me as commissioner, or inspector, as the case may 

11 be, of primary schools for the count}', without favor or par- 

12 tia!ity,"and every justice of the peace before whom such 

13 oath shall be taken, and subscribed as aforesaid, shall, with- 

14 out fee or reward, certify under the same in writing, the day 

15 and year when the same oath be taken, and subscribe his 

16 name thereto, and then deliver such writing to the person 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



IJ taking such oath, who shall within eight clays thereafter, 
13 transmit or deliver the same to the clerk of the county for 

19 which such ouicer, so taking such oath, was elected or ap- 

20 pointed; and if any such officer so chosen or appointed as 

21 aforesaid, shall not take and subscribe such oath as aforc- 

22 said, and transmit or deliver the same as aforesaid, within 

23 the time for that purpose limited as aforesaid, such neglect 
2-1 s!)all bo deemed a refusal to serve in such office, and if any 
2j person so chosen or appointed to such office as aforesaid, 
25 shall refuse to serve in such office, or shall serve therein be- 

27 foie he shall have taken and subscribed such oath as afore- 

28 said, then and in every such case, such person shall forfeit 

29 and pay the sum of ten dollars, to be recovered with costs of 

30 suit, before anyjustice of the peace having jurisdiction there- 

31 of, by action of debt, the one moiety thereof to the use of 

32 the primary schools of the county, for which sucli officer 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



33 was chosen or appointed as aforesaid, and the other moiety 

34 thereof, with costs of suit, to tiie use of anj- person who shall 

35 prosecute for the same to effect. 

Sec. 5. A)id be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of the 

2 commissioners of primary schools or the major part of them, 

/ yrr ^- ^ to divide their respective counties into a suitable and conve- 

,,, CA-ednAi^^ 4 nient number of school districts; and to alter and regulate 

5 the same as hereafter provided; and it shall be the further 

6 duty of the commissioners of the primary schools aforesaid, 

7 immediately after the formation or alteration of an}- such 

8 school district in their respective counties, to describe and 

9 number the same, and to deliver the description and num- 
40 her thereof in writing, to the clerk of the county, who is 

1 1 hereby required to i^eceive arid record the same in the coun- 

12 ty records without fee or reward. 



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Sec. 6. And be U enacted. That the said commissioners may alter 

>^<-v ^-^^ -f^^- 

2 and change the school districts, with a view to their better arrange- / 

3 ment, and the general convenience of the people; provided, how- 

4 ever, that no such alteration oi change shall be made before the first 
i day of April, or after the first day of June in each year, unless the 

6 trustees of the district so to be altered or changed, sha.l assent 

7 thereto. 

Sec. 7. And be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of theseve- 
9 ral constables, in their respective counties, to notify the different 

3 officers to be appointed in virtue of the provisions of this act, of 

4 their appointments, having received notice from the appointing pow- 

5 er, whose duty it shall be to give such notice to the constables 

6 aforesaid. 

Sec 8. And be it enacted. That the commissioners aforesaid, 

2 shall be allowed a reasonable compensation for each day employed 

3 by them, in so forming, altering or regulating school districts, not 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



^ ^-/^''.aV^^A^ D * exceeding two dollars per day, which shall be levied and paid as 

"' I' * 5 other country charges are levied and paid. 

Sec. 9. And be it enacted. That whenever any school districts shall be 

2 formed in any county, by the commissioners of primary schools as 

3 aforesaid, it shall be the duty of the said commissioners, within 

4 twenty days thereafter, to make a notice in writing, describing such 

5 districts, and appointing a time and place for the first district meeting, 
^ ^7 . .6 and to deliver such notice in writing to some one of the inhabitants 

pY 7 liable to pay taxes, residing in such district, whose duly it shall be 



■tt^i 



8 to notify the inliabitants residing in such district as aforesaid, by 

9 public advertisements, to be put up at the most public places of the 

10 said district, at least six days before the time of such meeting; and 

1 1 if any such inhabitant shall neglect or refuse to give such notice, he 

12 shall forfeit and pay ihe sum of five dollars, to be recovered with the 

13 costs of suit before any justice of the peace having cognizance 

14 thereof by action of debt, the one moiety thereof, to the use of the 

15 primary school of the county, where such district &hall be situated, 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



16 to be paid to the commissioners of such schools; and the other moie- 

17 ty thereof, with costs of suit, to the use of any person who shall pro- 
13 secute for the same to effect, and in case such notice siiall not be gi. 

19 ven as aforesaid; or the inhabitants of such district, when so notified, 

20 shall neglect or refuse to assemble, or form a district meeting, in 
91 pursuance of such notice; or in case any district having been form- 

22 ed or organized, in pursuance ol such notice, shall, in the opinion 

23 of the commissioners aforesaid, be dissolved by adjournment, with- 

24 out day, or from any other cause whatever, it shall and may be 
55 lawful for the commissioners aforesaid, or any of them at any 
26 time thereafter, to renew such notice, which notice being so renew*' 
37 ed, shall be delivered to some one of the said inhabitants of such 

28 district, in manner aforesaid, whose duty it shall be to serve the 

29 same in manner aforesaid, on pain of the like penalty and forfeiture 

30 for neglect thereof, to be recovered in like manner, and for the like 

31 uses, as aforesaid; and the inhabitants of such district, liable to pay 

32 taxes, as aforesaid, shall assemble togeil.erin pursuance of suchno« 



10 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 
■ ■ 



33 lice, and when so assembled in district meeting, it sliall and may 
^^^f<? ^ 34 be lawful for them, qx a majority of such of them as shall be presenti 

35 at such district meeting, to adjonrn to any other time or place; and 
^^^^^^^^^ 36 at such first, or any future legal district meeting, it shall and may 

37 be lawful for them, or a majority of such of them, as shall be pre- 

33 sent as aforesaid, to adjourn from time to time, as occasion may re- 

39 quire; to fix on a time and place for holding their future annual 

40 meetings, which annual meetings they are hereby authorised and 



/ v^'/felT^ *' required to hold, to choose one district cleik to ket-p the records 

i^i^ *=S 42 and proceedings of such meeting; also three trustees to manage the 

43 concerns of such district, and one district collector, also to designate 

'-'°7^^ 44 a site for their school house, to vote a tax on the resident inhabitants 

/^y' f\,^^^^-^*.'y ^^ jjf gygj^ district, as they, or a majority of such of them as shall be 

H6 present as aforesaid, shall deem sufficient to purchase a suitable site 

47 for the school house, and to build, keep in repair, and furnish such 

48 school-houss with necessary fuel, books, stationary and appendages; 

49 and to repeal, alter, regulate and modify all such proceedings, or 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, 



ll 



60 any part thereof, from time to time, as occasion may require; provi- 
S\ ded, however, that no alteration as to the site of a school house, 
62 shall take place but by consent of at least four commissioners of the 
53 county; and it shall and maj be lawful for the trustees of such dis- 
i* tricts, or a majority of them, whenever they shall deem it necessary 
i5 to call a special meeting of the said inhabitants, of such district no- 

56 tice thereof being given as herein after provided; and no discrict 

57 meeting held as aforesaid, shall be taken or deemed illegal for defect 

58 or want of due notice, to any of the said inhabitants of such district, * 

59 provided the emission to give such notice Le not wilful and designed. 

Sec. 10. And belt enacted. That the cleik, trustee and collector of 

2 each school district, shall hold their respective offices until the annu- ^ 

3 al meeting of such district next following the time of their appoint- .£__ ^ 

4 ment, and until others shall be appointed in their places; and in y-^--^<^^<> 

5 case such officers, or any of them, shall be vacated by the death, re- 

6 fusal to serve, removal out of the district, or incapacity of any such 

7 officer; and such vacancy shall not be tupplied by the district at a 



12 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 






^^x^ t A^r'> 



8 special or other district meeting, within one month thereafter, it shall 

9 and may be lawful for the commissioners of primary schools for the 

10 county in which such district shall be situated, to supply such va- 
il cancy by the appointment of any person residing in such district; 

12 and such appointment shall have the same effect, to all intents and 

I 

13 purposes, as if the same had been made by the district, at any 

H legal district meeting, and every person who shall be duly chosen or 

15 appointed as aforesaid, to serve in any such office, and shall refuse 

16 to serve therein, shall forfeit and pay the sum of five dollars, to be 

17 recovered with costs of suit, by action of debt, in the name of the 

18 commissioners of primary schools, for the county in which such per- 

19 son shall reside; or in the name of any other person, before any jus- 

20 lice of the peace having cognizance thereof; and such sum, when so 

21 recovered, shall be paid to the commissioners aforesaid, for the use of 

22 the primary schools in such county; and every person, who being 

23 duly chosen or appointed as aforesaid, to serve in any such offiie, and 
94 having accepted thereof, or not declared his refusal to accept, shall 



\ 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 13 



25 neglect the performance of the duties of such office, shall forfeit and 

26 pay the sum of ten dollars, to be recovered, with costs of suit, in 

27 manner aforesaid, and for the use aforesaid. 

Sec 11. And be k enacted. That it shall be the duty of the 

2 clerk of each school district, to keep the records and proceeding's of -^-f ^ • /A 

3 his district, in a book co be provided for that purpose; and whene- 

4 ver a special district meeting shall be called by the trustees of such 
6 distiict, it shall be the duty of such clerk to give notice as aforesaid, 

6 of the time and place of such special district meeting, to the inhabi- 

7 tants of such district, at least five days before such meeting shall be y 

8 held; and when any district meeting shall be adjourned for a longer 

9 time than one month, it shall be the duty of the clerk of such district 

10 to give notice thereof in writing as aforesaid, at least five days before 

1 1 the time appointed for such meeting; and it shall be the further duty 

12 of such clerk to give notice in like manner of every meeting, to be 

13 held in such district; and it shall be the duty of such district clerkto 

14 keep and preserve a'l rpoords, books, writings and papers belonging 



14. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

15 to his office; and on the expiration of liis time of service to deliver 
lb the same to his successor in office, in the same manner as liie county 

17 cieikis required by law, to deliver all records, books and papers be- 

18 longing to his office, to his successor in office. 

Sec. 12. And be ic enacted, Thai the collector in each 
'r/^ J^irx /jt ^ school district, shall have the same power and authority, and 

3 have the same fees for collecting, and be subject to the same 

4 rules, regulations and duties, as respects the business of the 

5 district, which by law appertaincth to the collector of the 

6 county charges in which such district may be. 

Sf-C. 13. And he it enacted. That it shall be the duty of the 

2 trustees of each school district, whenever a district meeting 

3 shall have voted a district tax, or as soon as may be, to make 

4 a rate bill or tax list, which shall raise the sum voted for in 

5 due proportion on all the taxable property in such district 

6 agreeable to the assessment of the last preceding county tax, 



6- V*v "i^ 

A 4 ^\^ i^y^ 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. I5 



7 and to aniiex to such tax list or rate bill, a warrant, and to 

8 deliver the same to the collector of such district, which war- 

9 rant shall be substantially as t'uiiowcth: 
10 

1 1 county of ss, To 

12 collector of the district m the county aforesaid, greeting, 

13 you arc hereby required iii d commanded to collect from 

14 cacli tif the inhabitants of siiid district, the several sums of 

13 money written opposite to the name of each of said inhabi- 

16 tants, in the annexed tax list, and within thirty days after 

17 receiving this warrant, to pay tlic amount of the monies by 

18 you collected, into the hands of the trustees of said district, 

19 or some one of them, and take their, or his, receipt thereof; and 

20 if any one or more of said inhabitants shall neglect or refuse 

21 to pay the sum, you are hereby further commanded to levy 

22 on the goods and chattels of each delinquent, and make sale 



16 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



23 thereof according to law, given under our hands and seals, 

24 this day of 182 . 

25 [ss] 

26 [ ss ] Trustees. 

27 [ss] 

28 And if the sum or sums pajable by any person named in 

29 oucli tax list or rate bill, shall not be paid by him or coliect- 

30 ed by virtue of said warrant, within the time therein limited, 

31 it shall be lawful for the trustees aforesaid to renew such 

32 warrant in respect to such delinquent person. 

Sfc. 14. And be if enacted, Tliat it shall be the duty of 

2 the trustees of each school district, whenever a district meet- 

/ , , - 3 ins shall have voted a tax for that purpose, to purchase a 

L ^&^uj^^ Jkfyi^^^ 4 suitable site for their school house, and to build, keep in rc- 

' 5 pair, and furnish such school-house with necessary fuel, 

6 books, stationaiy and appendages; and it shall be the fur- 



PUBT,IC INSTRUCTION. I7 



7 ther duty of the trustees aforesaid, to agree with, and em- J^^,^^- ^-^u.'A^ 

8 ploy, all teachers to be employed in such district; Provided, ^'^ ^'^^ ' 

9 That no teacher shall be employed by them, who shall not ^ 

10 have received the certificate of approbation from the inspec- 

11 torsof schools, as is hereinafter provided; and it shall be the 

12 further duty of the trustees aforesaid, to pay the wages of 

13 sucli teachers, out of the monies which shall come iiito their 

14 hands from the commissioners of primary schools aforesaid. 

Skc. 15. And be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of 

2 the trustees of each school district aforesaid, semi annually, 

3 on or before the first day of April and October in each year, 
^ 4 to make and transmit to the commissioners of primary 

5 schools for the county in which such district shall be situat- 

6 ed, a report, specifying the length of time a school has been 

7 kept in such district, the amount of monies received by 

8 them, the manner in which the same hath been expended by 






18 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 






9 llitm, and as nearly as may be, the number of children taught 
10 in such district, and the number of children residing in such 
M' district, between the ages of five and fifteen years inclusive. 
Sec. l6. And be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of 
2 the commissioners of primary schools for each county, to 
>. J/ y 3 apply for, and receive from the treasurer of the Western 
[ itfAA'.^tb^t^f 4 Shore, all monies which shall be apportioned, and payable 

5 to their counties, as soon as may be, after the same shall be 

6 so apportioned and payable as aforesaid, and it shall be the 

7 duty of the commissioners aforesaid to apportion all monies 

8 which sliall come into their hands for the use of the primary 

9 schoolii, as soon as may be after such monies shall be receiv- 

10 ed by them, amongst the several school districts, lying with- 

11 in their counties, which shall have substantially complied 
!2 with the provisions of this act, according to the number of 
13 children between the ages of five and fifteen years asafore- 



l/lx_^4-t^<^'- 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Jy 



14 said, living in each such district, and all monies so to be ap- 

15 portioned by the commissioners as aforesaid, shall be paid 

16 by them according to sucJi apportionment to the trustees 

17 of the distiict to which such monies shall be apportioned as 

18 aforesaid, whose receipt therefor shall be good and sufficient 

19 evidence of such payment; which n^.onie? so to be received 

20 by the trustees as aforesaid, shall be applied and expended 

21 by them iti paying t'le wages of ihe teachers to be employed 

22 by them and for no other purposes; Provided, that no monies 

23 apportioned as aforesaid, shall he i)aid b}' the commi.-isioners 

24 aforesaid, until the trustees of the district to which such 

25 monies shall be apportioned as aforesaid, or at least two of 

26 them, shall have certified in writing under their hands, and 

27 delivered such certificate to the commissioners aforesaid, or 

28 some, or one of them, substantially in the words following, 

29 viz: VV^e the trustees of the school district 



20 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

■^ ,1 



30 within the county of do certify 

31 that a school hath been kept in said district for at least three 

32 months during the year last past, from the date thereof, by 

33 an instructor duly appointed and approved in all respects 

34 accordin:^ to law, and that all monies received during the 

35 said year, the commissioners of primary schools have been 

36 faithfully applied in paying the wages of such instructor, 

37 dated, &c. 

38 Trustees. 

39 And all monies which shall be apportioned as aforesaid, shall 

40 be paid by the commissioners aforesaid, to the trustee on his 

41 making and delivering to them a certificate substantially in 

42 form following: I the trustee of 

43 do hereby certify, that all mo- 

44 nies heretofore received from the commissioners of primary 

45 schools, having been faithfully applied according to the true 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 21 

46 intent and meaning of the act entitled, an act to provide for 

47 the public iiistruction of youth throughout this state, and to 

48 promote the interests of agriculture, 

49 Trustee. 

50 And all monies whicli kliall be apportioned by the commis- 
si sioners as aforesaid, and nhich shall remain in their hands 

52 unpaid, for the space of one year thereafter, either from the 

53 omission or neglect of the trustees, to apply for, and make 

54 the neces'5ary certificate to entitle them to the same, or from 
5b any defect in such certificate, shall after t lie expiration of 

56 such year, be added to the monies rext thereafter to be ap- 

57 portioned by them, and shall be apportioned and paid toge- 

58 tlier with such monies as aforesaid, and in case any monies 

59 which shall come into the hands of the commissioners afore- 

60 said for the use of the primary schools, for their counties, 

61 sliall not be apportioned by them as aforesaid, for the space 



i>ji PJBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



62 of two years thereafter, by reason of the non-coni])liance of 

63 all the sciiobr districts in such county, within the provisions 

64 of this act, all such monies so remaining, not apportioned for 

65 the space of two years as aforesaid, shall be returned and 

66 paid by the commissioners to the treasurer, and be apportioned 

67 and distributed by him, together with the other monies next 

68 thereafter to be apportioned, and distributed by him in pur- 

69 sXiante of this act. 

SkC. 17. And be ic enacted. That if any trustee appointed 

2 under this act shall make a false certificate, or report, by 

3 m^ans whereof any monies shall be fraudulently obtained 

4 from the commissioners aforesaid, or unjustly apportioned 

5 by them, such trustee, signing such certiticatc, or report, 

6 shall forfeit and pay the Sum of twenty-five dollars, to the 

7 commissioners of the county in which such trustee shall be 

8 appointed, or chosen, to be recovered with costs of suit, by 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 23 



9 action of debt, on this statute before any justice of the peace, 

10 haviii'^ cf)2nizance thereof, in the name of the said commis' 

11 ers, and such sura, exclusive of the costs of suit, shall be ap- 

12 I lied when recovered, to the use of the primary schools of 

13 such county. 

Sec. 18. And he it enncled. That it shall be the duty of the in- 
9 spectors of primary schools, to he appointed under tiiis act, to ex- 
.^ amine all persons, who shall offer themselves as candidates for teach- oO^i^/L^-e^^^^ t^ 

4 ing primary schools in the county, for which such inspector shall /l^t^^-c^^ ^»sK*^ 

5 be chosen or appointed; and in such examination it shall -^"^ 

6 be the duty of the inspectors aforesaid, to enquire, and so far 

7 as they shall be enabled thereto to ascertain and inform themselves 

8 as to all the qualifications mentioned and contained in the certificate 

9 herein after specified and given in form; and if they shall be satis- 

10 fied, as to the sufficiency of such qualifications, they shall certify in 

1 1 writing under their hands, and deliver such certificate to the person 

12 so examined by them as aforesaid, in form or substance following, 



2-t PUBLIC INSTRUCTION'. 



13 viz:— We the undersigned, inspectors of primary schools for the 
U district, number in the county of do certify 

15 that we have examined and do beheve he or she, 

16 (as the case may be,) is of a good moral character, and of sufficient 

17 learning and ability, and in all other respects well qualified to teach 
IS a primary school. Given under our hands, at the 

19 day of in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight 

20 hundred and 

91 Inspectors of primary schools. 

99 And it shall and may be lawful for the inspectors of primary schools, 
93 to annul any such certificate, so given by them, or their predecessors 
24 in office, as aforesaid, to any such person as aforesaid; provided that 
95 notice thereof in writing be given to the trustees of the school dis- 
26 trict, or some or one of them, in which such person shall be em- 
T[ ployed as a teacher, at least three days before such certificate shall 
98 be annulled as aforesaid. And further, if any person shall be em- 
29 ployed as a teacher, by the trustees of any sciiool district, who 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 25 



30 sliall not have obtained such certificate, as aforesaid, from tlie inspec- 

31 tors of primary schools of the county in which such district shall be 

32 situated, or wliose certificate, so having been obtained, shall have 

33 been annulled as aforesaid, such district shall forfeit, for the time 

34 such person shall be so empK;yed, as aforesaid, all right and claim 
33 to any share of the monies which shall come into the hands of the 
36 commissioners of primary schools aforesaid, during such time. 

Stc. '9. And be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of the in- 

2 spectors of primary schools aforesaid, to visit all such primary schools 

3 within their respective counties, as shall have been formed in pursu- 

4 ance of this act quarterly, or oftener, if they shall deem it necessary; 

5 and to examine into the state and condition of such schools, both as 

6 it respects the proficiency of the scholars, and the good order and 

7 regularity of schools; and from time to time, to give their advice and 

8 direction to the trustees and teachers of such schools, as to the go- 

9 vernment thereof, and the course of studies to be pursued therein. 

Sec. 20. Andbe it enacted, That a majority of the said inspectors 



2'j PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



2 present, and acting in tlie performance of any of the duties required 

3 of them by this act, shall be competent to perform any such duties; 

4 i^rovided, that in the examination of teachers, and in certifying their 
6 quanfications as aforesaid, or in annulling any certificate as afore- 

6 saicJ, not less than three of the said inspectors shall be present; and 

7 in all other cases, not less than tv\o of said inspectors shall be pie- 

8 sent. 

Sec. si. And be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of the coin- 

2 missiotiers of primary schools of the several counties in this state, on 

3 or before the first day of July, in each year, to make and transmit a 
' J //^ /j~ 4 couDty report to the clerk of their county, embracing the same mat- 

/ & K^ra as shall be contained in the report of the trustees of school dis- 

J^ C^ ^l^^ 6 triers, to the sard commissioners; and the clerks of the several, coun- 

Jb^uAj^^ 7 ties, shall, on or before the first day of December, annually, make a 

^:^r^=^iPvLy7 . a county report^ embracing all the matters contained in the several 

9 county teporls aforesaid, and transmit the Same to the superintend- 

'«'«'^*-^^^^^^^ 10 ent of primary schoola, whose duly it shall be annually, on or be- 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 






11 fore tlie first Tuesday in January, to make a report to the Legisla- 

12 ture, embracing all the matters contemplated by this act. 

Sec. 29. J««/6e // eKac/^t/, That the commissioners of primary 
S schools in each county, shall be enabled to hold any property which '^ ^ 

3 may be granted to them for the use and benefit of the primary 

4 schools in their county; and such property, whether real or person- 

5 al, shall be to them and their successors in office, in the same manner 

6 as if they were a body politic and corporate in law; and such proper- 

7 ty shall be deemed to be vested in the trustees of the several school 

8 districts for the use and benefit of their school, in the same manner 

9 as if such property had been granted to them for that purpose; and 

10 the said trustees of any school district shall be enabled to hold any 

11 property which may be vested in them, for the use and benefit of 

12 their school; and such property, whether real or personal, shall be to 

13 them and their predecessors in office, in ihe same manner as if they 

14 were a body politic and corporate in law. 

Sec. 23. And be il enacted, That there shall be a classical acade- 



2H PUBLIC INSTRUCTIDN. 



^^.-^'^ 






2 mick institution in each of the several counties of this state, and that 

3 in addition to the ordinary course of studies and learnintr in such in- 

4 stitutiins, a professorship of agriculture shall Le founded therein. 

Sec. 21. And be il enacted. That there shall be a pattern farm 
7f(^.t^c^ »/>^***^ g for the improveaient of husbandry, established convenient to each of 

3 the said academick institutions, in the several counties oftliis stau'; 

4 which said farm shall be under the direction, management and con- 
6 trol of the trustees of such institution, and be exclusively cultivated 

6 by free citizens, and the children of such as may be admitted at the 

7 di-Creiion of the said trustees, and be apprenticed to serve in the va- 

8 lious employments of the said farm, until they shall arrive at the 

9 lawful age of twenty one years. 

/%- /i.^ ^'S-c. 25 y^;/c/ ie// e«(/c/c</, That the children of i>uch free citizens 

^^tjt^ ^^ 2 as shall be admitted and apprenticed, to serve on the said pattern 



tl X. 



3 farm, bhail be entitled within the term of their apprenticeship, in ad- 

4 dition to good and sufhcient subsistence and cloathing, to receive 
3 the benefits of public inatruciion in the academick institution, at 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 29 



6 such time or times as may be designated by the trustees of said in- 

7 stitution, in the whole to be equal to three entire years in the most 

8 useful branches of education, including three courses of lectures on 

9 agriculture. 

Sec. 2fj Andhe it enacted., That the professor of agriculture to be 
2 appointed by the said trustees, in addition to the salary allowed by 




3 law, shall be entitled to receive from each attendant upon his lec- '' -^ 

4 tures, excepting the pupils of the patern fafni, who shall always be 

5 admitted free of charge, such fee as may be allowed by the said trus? 

6 tees. 



(^,XL^'''''^-t/ft^ C^i 



Sec. 97. And be it enacted. That whenever the necessary funds 

S shall have been assigned and appropriated, the treasurer of the Wes- 

3 tern Shore shall be authorised and required to pay annually, out of 

4 any unappropriated funds, to the trustee of each of the academick 
3 institutions of this state, one thousand five hundred dollars, in semi- 
€ annual payments, on the first day of April and October in each 
7 year, whereof five hundred dollars shall be applied to the payment 






so PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



8 of the salary of the professor of agriculture, and one thousand clul- 

9 lars; to such other insiructors as may be employed by the trustees 
10 in tlie various dedartments of literature. 

Sec. 28. Andhe it enacted. That whenever the necessary funds 

/^_ r'y 2 shall have been a&s.igned *nd appropriated, the said trea?orer shall be 

y y 3 further autliorised aad required, to pay annually out of any unap- 

4 propriated funds during. ten years, to the justices of the levy court 

b of each of the sfiveral caunticsof this state, five hundred dollars to be 

.6 ajpplied by tll« said justices to the purchase in fee sirnp.e of a uiiabie 

7 tract not exceeding five hundred acres of land, for a pattern fajm, and 

8 the proper im^lenjenls and other necessary n),eans (or conducting 

9 thej9ai;ne. 
,^gC, ^9.. And k ^ emctedf That the productions of t|ie 

2 patteri) farm, from tjoieto time, sliaU lUeilKSfiQsjpd »f at pub- 



^ -^ 



•^y 



/^ A' ^ Jic or privatfisale, and all tiie proBts siiall be applied to the 



-/ 



^^~i^^^-^^^ 4 encouragement of husbandry or towards tlie cstaUlislimcnt 



PUBLIC I:NSTRUCTION. 



5 of meritorious py,pils of the sev^r^l ins,Uti*itiQ;i& as may heie- 

6 after be provided for by la^i 

Sec. 30 And btii €MQicd„ Thal^hc provisions of this act 

2 shall not be construed ^s iiitendewto eiTtt academick institu- 

v/ 

3 tions \\\ aiiy of th" counties W#his state, where such iiistilU' 

4 tions do not exist, l)ut that The same shall be considered as 

5 in being for all the purposes of this act. 

Sec. 31 hikd be it t^mcted, That all the funds hereafter to 

2 be assigned and appropriated fur the support and niainte- 

3 nance of public instructions as relating to tlie prinjary schools 

4 shall be apportioned arjd distiibuted amongst the several 

5 counties of this state, according to the ratp§ of white pqpula- 

6 tion, a$ ascertained by the last preceding census of the United 

7 Stales, and it ?halj be tJie diiity qi the superJBjte|[)denl of pub- 

8 lie instruction, to give twtice therex)f in writing to eac h of 

9 the clerks of the county co,ijirt,s pf svich counties, setting forth 







PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



10 the amount of money apportioned to his county, and the 

11 time when the same shall be payable to the commissioners 

12 of said county, accAjding to tht^yrovisions aiiji principles of 

13 the act, entitled an a^to in^rpor^te a coinpany to make a 

14 turnpike road leading t(^yBiBberland,jfcid for the extension 

15 of the charters of the s^eill bank^in the%h' of Baltimore 

16 and for other purposes, and ik s/veral supplemeuts^ and the 

17 faith of the stat/Tis hereby i)^ilably pledged for such as- 
13 signment and appropriation. 

Sec. 32. And be it enacted^ That as soon as the revenues 

^ /7 • ' • 2 which niay be assigned and appropriated to the encourage- 

'^ 3 lucnt and support of public instruction, shall be sufficient 

/ J 4 for commencing the munificent purposes of this act, the same 

b shall be apportioned and distributed to each of the several 

6 counties of this state, in the following order, that is to say: 

7 First, for tiie use and benefit of primary schools, as is hcreitt 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



33 



8 before provitlcd; second, one thousand and five hundred dol- 

9 lars, for the use and benefit of academick institution; third, 
10 one thousand dollars for the purchase of a pattern farm. 

Sec. 33. And be it enacted, That the funds accruing un- 

2 der the act entitled, An Act to incorporate a company, to 

3 make a turnpike road leading to Cumberland, and for the 

4 extension of the charters of the several banks in the City of 

5 Baltimore, and for other purposes; and its several supple- 

6 ments, and the acts of Assembly, passed at December ses- 

7 sion, chapter 16 and 93; and tl.e donations to colleges and 

8 acadamies, shall be considered as included in and composing 

9 a part of the revenues to be assigned and appropriated for 
10 the encouragement and support of public instructions. 

Sec. 34 Atid be it enacted. That until the funds assigned 

2 and appropriated support of primary schools, 

3 sball have become sufficieiit to pay for the iuotructioa of all 



3+ PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 



tPAp'/3 



4 the youth of this state; it shall be the duty of the trustees 

5 in their respective districts, to apportion and apply so much 

6 of the said funds as may be to them, assigned towards the 

7 instruction of the children of the most indigent, and least 

8 wealtliy of the inhabitants of such district. 

MR. T£ACKLE. 






